The Houston Chronicle picked up a story on the recent violence in Mexico against ’emo’ youth in the city of Queretaro.
The Story from the Chronicle:
“The dramatic dress style of urban music followers known as ’emos’ has struck a nerve in Mexico’s macho society. The result is a wave of violent attacks in recent weeks against the scene’s mostly teenage followers. The attack getting the most publicity occurred last month in the central city of Queretaro. Hundreds of youths shouting ‘kill the emos’ pounced on a handful of long-haired teenagers in a plaza. As the victims lay bleeding on the concrete, their assailants filmed the scene on cell phones. Within hours, the footage was posted on YouTube, fueling attacks in other cities and the Mexican capital.”
Sociological Commentary:
Hector Castillo, a sociologist in Mexico, specializing in youth culture suggests that the cause of this violence is homophobia and intolerance. In addition, Castillo suggests that the 2006 presidential elections, which were highly contested, created a climate of polarization which pitted the ‘far right’ groups against the left.
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